Hydropower generation apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and methods for generating power utilizing the flow of water from an upper water body to a lower water body in order to generate an upward buoyant force on at least one buoyant object located in a chamber. In preferred embodiments, water is recycled between at least two chambers which generate upward and downward strokes of at least two buoyant objects.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to apparatus and methods for generating powerutilizing the flow of water from an upper water body to a lower waterbody in order to generate an upward buoyant force on at least onebuoyant object located in a chamber. In preferred embodiments, water isrecycled between at least two chambers which generate upward anddownward strokes of at least two buoyant objects.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Because the supply of fossil fuels, natural gas, and other natural fuelsis finite and because the processing and/or consumption of such fuelsproduces significant detrimental amounts of pollution, alternatives tosuch fuels have been experimented with, and in some cases implementedover the years. The need for alternatives to such natural, pollutionproducing fuels is further compounded by the rapidly expandingpopulation of the Earth which is increasing the consumption of suchfuels at a exponential rate.

As a result, heretofore, various alternatives to such fuels have beenexperimented with over the years. For example, many attempts have beenmade at harnessing the power of solar energy, water energy, or so-callednon-polluting gases such as hydrogen. In this regard, although varioushydropower machines have been developed and/or proposed in recent times,few of these machines have been successful in practical application, anotable exception being a conventional turbine (i.e. located at a dam).Examples of such hydropower machines are exemplified by U.S. Pat. Nos.659,609; 3,983,702; 4,586,333; and 4,720,976. It is believed that knownhydropower devices, such as those disclosed in the aforementionedpatents, are not often, if at all, commercially employed primarily dueto complexity, inherent inefficiencies, and/or exorbitant manufacturingor maintenance costs.

In view of the above-enumerated drawbacks, it is apparent that thereexists a need in the art for apparatus and/or methods which overcomes atleast one of the above drawbacks. It is a purpose of this invention tofulfill these needs in the art, as well as other needs which will becomeapparent to the skilled artisan once given the above disclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally speaking, this invention fulfills the above-described needs inthe art by providing: hydropower generation apparatus comprising:

a first chamber having at least one inlet for introducing water thereinand at least one outlet for evacuating water therefrom;

a first buoyant object located in the first chamber, the first buoyantobject communicating with a power extraction mechanism for extractinggenerated power;

a second chamber having at least one inlet for introducing water thereinand at least one outlet for evacuating water therefrom;

a second buoyant object located in the second chamber, the secondbuoyant object communicating with the power extraction mechanism;

the first chamber having at least one inlet selectively fluidlyconnected to an outlet of the second chamber;

the second chamber having at least one inlet selectively fluidlyconnected to an outlet of the first chamber;

wherein introducing water into the first chamber causes the firstbuoyant object to rise in the first chamber thereby causing an upstroketo generate power;

wherein evacuating water from the second chamber causes the secondbuoyant object to fall in the second chamber thereby causing adownstroke to generate power;

wherein introducing water into the second chamber causes the secondbuoyant object to rise in the second chamber thereby causing an upstroketo generate power;

wherein evacuating water from the first chamber causes the first buoyantobject to fall in the first chamber thereby causing a downstroke togenerate power;

wherein the first chamber is capable of selectively evacuating water tothe second chamber to assist in an upstroke of the second buoyant objectin the second chamber, and the first chamber is capable of selectivelyevacuating water from the first chamber to a lower water body; and

wherein the second chamber is capable of selectively evacuating water tothe first chamber to assist in an upstroke of the first buoyant objectin the first chamber, and the second chamber is capable of selectivelyevacuating water from the second chamber to a lower water body.

In further embodiments, there is provided:

hydropower generation apparatus comprising:

at least one chamber having at least one inlet for introducing watertherein and at least one outlet for evacuating water therefrom;

a buoyant object located in the chamber, the buoyant objectcommunicating with a power extraction mechanism for extracting generatedpower;

wherein introducing water into the chamber causes the buoyant object torise in the chamber thereby causing an upstroke to generate power;

wherein evacuating water from the chamber causes the buoyant object tofall in the chamber thereby causing a downstroke to generate power;

wherein the buoyant object includes at least one ballast compartment andat least one ballast valve for opening and closing the ballastcompartment, wherein the ballast valve of the ballast compartment isoperable to take on water in order to increase the weight of the buoyantobject during the downstroke and the ballast valve is operable toevacuate water from the ballast compartment in order to decrease theweight of the buoyant object during the upstroke.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional perspective view of one embodiment of thehydropower apparatus according to the subject invention.

FIG. 2 is an overhead, plan view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1with certain parts shown in x-ray.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, and 3F sequentially illustrate the operationof the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, in diagrammatic form, recyclingwater back and forth between first and second chambers to produce upwardand downward strokes of first and second buoyant objects.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention andadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptionof various illustrative and non-limiting embodiments thereof, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like referencenumbers indicate like features.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplar embodiment of ahydropower apparatus 1 according to the subject invention is illustratedtherein. Generally speaking, hydropower apparatus 1 comprises first andsecond water holding chambers 3 and 5 which contain first and secondbuoyant objects 7 and 9 respectively. In the illustrated embodiment,chambers 3 and 5 are large rectangular cavities, the dimensions of whichcan be selected according to various factors including cost, the amountof power to be generated, or the space availability at the sitelocation. Example dimensions for the cavities as contemplated forpractical use are 600×200 feet. Buoyant objects 7 and 9 are preferablysized so that, when installed in the chambers, the tolerances betweenthe walls of the chambers and walls of the buoyant objects areminimized. In this regard then, in an example embodiment, the preferreddimensions and shape of the buoyant objects are roughly equivalent tothe dimensions and shape of the interiors of chambers 3 and 5 minusapproximately 0.01-5%. Using such close tolerances, the amount of waterwhich must be introduced into chambers 3 and 5 to produce an upwardstroke of buoyant objects 7 and 9 is minimized.

In preferred embodiments, rollers or similar mechanisms are installed inthe chamber walls guiding buoyant objects 7 and 9 (or between the wallsand the buoyant objects) thereby to assist in producing smooth, levelupward and downward strokes during operation.

As can be seen most clearly in FIG. 2, each chamber 3 and 5 includes aplurality of inlets 15 and outlets 17 for introducing water into thechambers to produce upstrokes and for evacuating water from the chambersto produce downstrokes. Although no particular design of such inlets andoutlets is required, it is preferred that the both inlets and outlets 15and 17 have high flow rates and be sufficient in number so that chambers3 and 5 can be filled and drained quickly, and in preferred embodiments,substantially instantaneously (e.g. over a period of one to severalseconds). Inlets and outlets with large diameters are thereforepreferred. In order to further assist in efficient filling and drainingof the chambers, it is important, in preferred embodiments, thathydropower apparatus 1 be located at the intersection (or between) anupper water body 11 and a lower water body 13. More specifically, it ispreferred that chambers 3 and 5 be located at an intermediate elevationbetween the greater elevation of upper water body 11 and lesserelevation of lower water body 13. In this manner, chambers 3 and 5 canbe filled and drained using the flow of water due to gravitationalforces. In order to accomplish such gravitational filling and draining,inlets 15 are positioned so that they are in fluid contact with upperwater body 11 and outlets 17 are located so that they are in fluidcontact with lower water body 13 (the piping of the inlets and outletsis, of course, oriented at appropriate angles to achieve efficientinflow and outflow of water to and from the chambers).

In order to regulate inflow and outflow of water, a plurality of valves19 are provided (some of which are illustrated diagrammatically in thedrawings) which can be opened or closed as desired. Such valves, ineffect, control the operation of the invention by controlling thefilling and draining of chambers 3 and 5 and thereby controlling theupstrokes and downstrokes of buoyant objects 7 and 9. In preferredembodiments, butterfly type valves are employed, however, any valvecapable of high flow rates and quick opening and closing may, of course,be use.

As may further be seen in FIG. 2, chambers 3 and 5 are selectivelyfluidly interconnected via a manifold 20 located between the twochambers. In order to achieve fluid connectivity, valves 19 can beopened or closed on either side of the manifold (where they are seatedin opposing walls of chambers 3 and 5). In particular, valves 19,located in manifold 20, enable the unique recycling feature of thesubject invention which will be described in more detail in theparagraphs below. It is additionally rioted that manifold 20 includesits own inlet 15 and outlet 17 which can be used in concert with valves19 to increase chamber filling and evacuating rates as desired.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, pedestals 39 are, in preferredembodiments, located on either side of hydropower apparatus 1 andsupport a rotatable shaft 33 carrying a pair of flywheels 41. In theillustrated embodiment, rotatable shaft 33 is in communication withvertical shafts 35 and 37 (via gears) extending from buoyant objects 7and 9, respectively, thus forming a power extraction mechanism 31 forextracting power generated by upstrokes and downstrokes of buoyantobjects 7 and 9. As may be expected, when vertical shafts 35 and 37stroke upwards or downwards with buoyant objects 7 and 9, theirinteraction with shaft 33 causes it to rotate correspondingly (due tothe splined interconnection). Although not illustrated, shaft 33 ispreferably connected to a power generator device 45 (e.g. via a seriesof gears, etc.).

It is importantly noted that no specific power extraction mechanism orpower storage mechanism is contemplated for exploiting the powergeneration features of the subject invention. In this regard, powerextraction mechanism 31 is merely illustrated to demonstrate onepossible manner of extracting power from apparatus 1. It isacknowledged, however, that other conventional or known power extractionmechanisms may be more efficient, more reliable, or more cheaply oreasily constructed. In this regard, one example of a substitute powerextraction mechanism which could be employed in combination with thesubject invention is described in U.S. Pat. No. 659,609, issued toJoseph J. McIntyre, and entitled WAVE AND TIDAL ENGINE.

At a hypothetical starting point in preferred operation of the subjectdevice as illustrated in FIG. 3A, water is first introduced into chamber5 thereby to cause an upstroke of buoyant object 9 residing therein. Innormal operation, chamber 3 will already have been filled and thereforewill be evacuated of water substantially simultaneously with the fillingof chamber 5. Filling and evacuating occurs through inlets and outlets15 and 17, respectively, as well as through manifold 20. As discussedonly briefly above, manifold 20 may be used to boost filling andevacuating rates. This is accomplished in preferred embodiments by theopening of valves 19 in the manifold on the walls of both chambers. Whenthe valves are opened as such, water from the chamber which is full(e.g. chamber 3 in FIG. 3A) will drain rapidly into the manifold andthereafter pass through the valve located on the wall of the oppositechamber (e.g. chamber 5 in FIG. 3A) thereby to effect an fillingthereof. It is noted, of course, that when the water in the two chambersis at equal heights, water from the manifold will no longer continue tofill the “filling” chamber (i.e. because an effective equilibrium hasbeen reached between the chambers). Therefore, manifold valves 19 on thechamber which is being filled should be closed at the achievement ofequilibrium between the chambers, while the inlets 15 of the “filling”chamber remain open. In this manner, the draining chamber assists theupstroke of the filling chamber, and when equilibrium between thechambers is reached, the inlets complete the filling thereof. Thisoperational process is illustrated in detail in the sequence of FIGS.3A, 3B, and 3C.

It is noted that, in theory, the “filling” chamber can accept exactlyhalf of the volume of the “draining” chamber before equilibrium isreached. In practice, however, less than half of the volume of water istransferred from one side to another simply because inlets 15 areassisting in filling and therefore accounting for a portion of theequilibrium water level achieved.

It is further noted that once valves 19 of the “filling” chamber areclosed, water continues to drain from the draining chamber both intomanifold 20 having its own outlet and out of the remaining outlets 17situated around the periphery of chamber 3. It is still further notedthat it is advantageous to locate filling and draining valves 19opposite one another on opposing manifold/chamber walls. In this manner,flow from one chamber to another is most efficient due to reduction infrictional forces (by minimizing the obstruction of water flow).

Referring now to FIGS. 3D, 3E, and 3F, these figures illustrate thereverse of the operation illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3C. In FIG. 3D, chamber5 has been filled with water and buoyant object 9 has completed anupstroke. In order for buoyant object 9 to begin its downstroke, chamber5's outlets open, as well as do valves 19 connected to manifold 20.Simultaneously, valves 19 connected to chamber 3 open as well as doinlets 15 fluidly connected thereto. In this manner, water exits outlets17 of chamber 5 and enters chamber 3 via valves 19. Filling of chamber 3is assisted, of course, with the addition of water from inlets 15. Whenequilibrium is reached between chambers 3 and 5, once again, valves 19connected to chamber 3 close while inlets 15 connected thereto remainopen until filling thereof is complete. Moreover, outlets 17 connectedto chamber 5 remain open until enough water is evacuated therefrom tocomplete a downstroke. Afterwards, the process repeats itself with waterrecycling back and forth between the chambers and water being added andremoved with inlets and outlets 15 and 17, respectively, thereby toproduce alternating upstrokes and downstrokes to produce usable power(e.g. for extraction or storage).

Although the embodiments detailed above have been described employingwhat are, in essence, two-way valves (e.g. butterfly valves), it iscontemplated that a plurality of one-way valves could be used instead ora combination of one-way and two-way valves employed. In an embodimentemploying a one-way valve system, each chamber 3 and 5 would include atleast two one-way valves oriented oppositely to allow flow in oppositedirections (i.e. to allow inflow and outflow of water). It is noted,however, that the one-way valve oriented for water outflow would need aclosing mechanism to prevent outflow of water during filling operations.In an embodiment employing a combination of one-way and two-way valves,certain timing issues could be eliminated. In this regard, during arecycling operation between chambers 3 and 5, if appropriate valveorientations are employed, it would not be necessary to close the inflow(one-way) valve of the “filling” chamber once equilibrium between thechambers is reached (because the one-way nature will prevent water lossafter equilibrium water levels are surpassed). In such an embodiment,certain efficiencies can be achieved by orienting one-way valvesopposite two-way valves located on opposite walls of themanifold/chambers (to improve flow/filling efficiency).

In particularly preferred embodiments, such as illustrated in FIGS.3A-3F, each buoyant object includes a ballast compartment which iscapable of taking on or dumping ballast at certain phases of upstrokesor downstrokes in order to increase the amount of power producedthereby. For example, as buoyant object 9 is approaching the pinnacle ofits upstroke, ballast compartment 21 can be opened (e.g. withconventional valves or ballast compartment doors) thereby to acceptwater as ballast. Thus, at the time buoyant object 9 has reached thepinnacle of the upstroke, the ballast compartment has filled with waterand has an increased effective mass. With such an increased mass, whenchamber 5 evacuates (the initiation of which is illustrated in FIG. 3D),buoyant object 9 will produce a more powerful downstroke. Similarly, asthe downstroke is being completed (or at completion), the ballastcompartments can be opened again and water evacuated therefrom. In thismanner, the effective mass of buoyant object 9 can be reduced resultingin an object possessing greater buoyancy. As a result, when chamber 5 isfilled again, buoyant object 9 will complete a more powerful upstroke. Acomplete sequence of this procedure occurring in both buoyant objects 7and 9 can been seen in FIGS. 3A-3F.

It is noted that the timing of the filling and draining of ballastcompartments 21 can be adjusted according to specific operatingconditions and apparatus designs. In this regard, while it may be mostefficient for one design to begin filling a ballast compartment 21during the upstroke, in another design it may be most beneficial to fillthe ballast compartment only at the pinnacle of an upstroke. Othertimings for filling or draining ballast compartments are, of course,contemplated for both upstrokes and downstrokes.

In further preferred embodiments, alternatives to manifold 20 may beemployed. In such an embodiment, manifold 20 can be eliminated andsimple piping and valves employed to provide the fluid connectionsbetween chambers 3 and 5.

In still further preferred embodiments, buoyant objects 7 and 9 aredesigned with sufficient freeboard such that the top surfaces of thebuoyant objects are never covered by water. By designing the objectswith freeboard as such, water will not obstruct the upstrokes of thebuoyant objects.

In yet further preferred embodiments, an individual chamber housing asingle buoyant object with at least one ballast compartment can beemployed. Alternatively, three or more chambers can be interconnectedwith an equivalent number of buoyant objects associated therewith. Insuch an embodiment, water would be recycled among the various chambersin a manner similar to that described above. It is further noted that inany multiple chamber system, if there is a mechanical failure, less thanall of the chambers can be operated to continue to produce power. Insuch a circumstance, recycling operations can be shut down temporarilywith filling and draining being accomplished solely by the flow fromupper water body 11 into the chambers with all draining being effectedinto lower water body 13.

Once given the above disclosure, many other features, modifications, andimprovements will become apparent to the skilled artisan. Such otherfeatures, modifications, and improvements are therefore considered to bepart of this invention, the scope of which is to be determined by thefollowing claims:

I claim:
 1. Hydropower generation apparatus comprising: a first chamberhaving at least one inlet for introducing water therein and at least oneoutlet for evacuating water therefrom; a first buoyant object located insaid first chamber, said first buoyant object communicating with a powerextraction mechanism for extracting generated power; a second chamberhaving at least one inlet for introducing water therein and at least oneoutlet for evacuating water therefrom; a second buoyant object locatedin said second chamber, said second buoyant object communicating withsaid power extraction mechanism; said first chamber having at least oneinlet selectively fluidly connected to an outlet of said second chamber;said second chamber having at least one inlet selectively fluidlyconnected to an outlet of said first chamber; wherein introducing waterinto said first chamber causes said first buoyant object to rise in saidfirst chamber thereby causing an upstroke to generate power; whereinevacuating water from said second chamber causes said second buoyantobject to fall in said second chamber thereby causing a downstroke togenerate power; wherein introducing water into said second chambercauses said second buoyant object to rise in said second chamber therebycausing an upstroke to generate power; wherein evacuating water fromsaid first chamber causes said first buoyant object to fall in saidfirst chamber thereby causing a downstroke to generate power; whereinsaid first chamber is capable of selectively evacuating water to saidsecond chamber to assist in an upstroke of said second buoyant object insaid second chamber, and said first chamber is capable of selectivelyevacuating water from said first chamber to a lower water body; andwherein said second chamber is capable of selectively evacuating waterto said first chamber to assist in an upstroke of said first buoyantobject in said first chamber, and said second chamber is capable ofselectively evacuating water from said second chamber to a lower waterbody.
 2. Hydropower generation apparatus according to claim 1 wherein atleast one inlet each of said first and second chambers is fluidlyconnected to an upper water body, said upper water body being located atan elevation higher than said chambers; and at least one outlet each ofsaid first and second chambers is fluidly connected to a lower waterbody, said lower water body being located at an elevation lower thansaid chambers.
 3. Hydropower generation apparatus according to claim 2wherein power is generated by said upstrokes by means of rapidintroduction of water through said inlets sufficient to cause a positiveupward buoyant force on said buoyant objects up to and including nearinstantaneous flooding of said chambers; and power is generated by saiddownstrokes of said first and said second buoyant objects through rapidevacuation of water from said chambers via said outlets sufficient tocause a positive downward gravitational force up to and including nearinstantaneous evacuation of said chambers.
 4. Hydropower generationapparatus according to claim 2 further including means for guiding saidfirst and second buoyant objects in vertical motion during saidupstrokes and downstrokes in said first and said second chambersrespectively.
 5. Hydropower generation apparatus according to claim 2wherein said first and said second buoyant objects weigh less than orequal to the volume of water required to raise said buoyant objectsthrough a lift distance between a surface of said lower water body and asurface of said upper water body.
 6. Hydropower generation apparatusaccording to claim 2 wherein said first and second buoyant objects areso sized and so designed such that sufficient freeboard is maintained bysaid buoyant objects within said first and said second chambersrespectively thereby to substantially prevent water from contacting atop surface of said buoyant objects and thus prevent water fromobstructing said buoyant objects during said upstrokes.
 7. Hydropowergeneration apparatus according to claim 2 wherein space clearancesbetween said first and second buoyant objects in said first and secondchambers, respectively, are minimized in order to minimize the amount ofwater required in order to produce positive forces on said buoyantobjects in said chambers.
 8. Hydropower generation apparatus accordingto claim 2 further including a plurality of two-way valves selectivelyfluidly connecting said first and said second chambers respectively. 9.Hydropower generation apparatus according to claim 8 further including amanifold located between said first and said second chambers, saidmanifold being fluidly connected to said first and said second chambersvia said plurality of two-way valves.
 10. Hydropower generationapparatus according to claim 9 wherein said plurality of two-way valesare selectively fluidly connected for directing water back and forthbetween said first chamber and said second chamber, via said manifold,thereby to introduce water into one of said chambers when the other ofsaid chambers is being evacuated of water thereby to enhance saidupstrokes and downstrokes of said chambers simultaneously respectively.11. Hydropower generation apparatus according to claim 9 wherein saidmanifold includes at least one drainage valve for draining water intosaid lower water body and at least one filling valve selectively fluidlyconnected to said upper water body.
 12. Hydropower generation apparatusaccording to claim 2 wherein said first and said second buoyant objectseach include ballast compartments and ballast valves for opening andclosing said ballast compartments, wherein said ballast valves of saidballast compartments are operable to take on water in order to increasethe weight of said first and said second buoyant objects during theirdownstrokes, respectively, and said ballast valves are operable toevacuate water from said ballast compartments in order to decrease theweight of said first and said second buoyant objects during theirupstrokes, respectively.
 13. Hydropower generation apparatus accordingto claim 12 wherein said ballast compartments are operable to take onwater at or near a pinnacle of an upstroke thereby to maximize energygenerated in said downstrokes and are operable to release water at ornear a bottom of said downstroke thereby to maximize energy generated insaid upstroke.
 14. Hydropower generation apparatus according to claim 12wherein power is generated by said upstrokes by means of rapidintroduction of water through said inlets sufficient to cause a positiveupward buoyant force on said buoyant objects up to and including nearinstantaneous flooding of said chambers; and power is generated by saiddownstrokes of said first and said second buoyant objects through rapidevacuation of water from said chambers via said outlets sufficient tocause a positive downward gravitational force up to and including nearinstantaneous evacuation of said chambers.
 15. Hydropower generationapparatus according to claim 12 further including means for guiding saidfirst and second buoyant objects in vertical motion during saidupstrokes and downstrokes in said first and said second chambersrespectively.
 16. Hydropower generation apparatus according to claim 12wherein said first and said second buoyant objects weigh less than orequal to the volume of water required to raise aid buoyant objectsthrough a lift distance between a surface of said lower water body and asurface of said upper water body.
 17. Hydropower generation apparatusaccording to claim 12 wherein said first and second buoyant objects areso sized and so designed such that sufficient freeboard is maintained bysaid buoyant objects within said first and said second chambersrespectively thereby to substantially prevent water from contacting atop surface of said buoyant objects and thus prevent water fromobstructing said buoyant objects during said upstrokes.
 18. Hydropowergeneration apparatus according to claim 12 wherein space clearancesbetween said first and second buoyant objects in said first and secondchambers, respectively, are minimized in order to minimize the amount ofwater required in order to produce positive forces on said buoyantobjects in said chambers.
 19. Hydropower generation apparatus accordingto claim 12 further including a plurality of one-way and two-way valvesselectively fluidly connecting said first and said second chambersrespectively.
 20. Hydropower generation apparatus according to claim 12further including a manifold located between said first and said secondchambers, said manifold being fluidly connected to said first and saidsecond chambers via said plurality of one-way and two-way valves. 21.Hydropower generation apparatus according to claim 20 wherein saidplurality of one-way valves and two-way vales are selectively fluidlyconnected for directing water back and forth between said first chamberand said second chamber, via said manifold, thereby to introduce waterinto one of said chambers when the other of said chambers is beingevacuated of water thereby to enhance said upstrokes and downstrokes ofsaid chambers simultaneously respectively.
 22. Hydropower generationapparatus according to claim 21 wherein said manifold includes at leastone drainage valve for draining water into said lower water body and atleast one filling valve selectively fluidly connected to said upperwater body.
 23. Hydropower generation apparatus comprising: at least onechamber having at least one inlet for introducing water therein and atleast one outlet for evacuating water therefrom; a buoyant objectlocated in said chamber, said buoyant object communicating with a powerextraction mechanism for extracting generated power; wherein introducingwater into said chamber causes said buoyant object to rise in saidchamber thereby causing an upstroke to generate power; whereinevacuating water from said chamber causes said buoyant object to fall insaid chamber thereby causing a downstroke to generate power; whereinsaid buoyant object includes at least one ballast compartment and atleast one ballast valve for opening and closing said ballastcompartment, wherein said ballast valve of said ballast compartment isoperable to take on water in order to increase the weight of saidbuoyant object during said downstroke and said ballast valve is operableto evacuate water from said ballast compartment in order to decrease theweight of said buoyant object during said upstroke.
 24. Hydropowergeneration apparatus according to claim 2 further including a pluralityof one-way valves selectively fluidly connecting said first and saidsecond chambers respectively.
 25. Hydropower generation apparatusaccording to claim 24 further including a manifold located between saidfirst and said second chambers, said manifold being fluidly connected tosaid first and said second chambers via said plurality of one-wayvalves.
 26. Hydropower generation apparatus according to claim 2 furtherincluding a plurality of one-way and two-way valves selectively fluidlyconnecting said first and said second chambers respectively. 27.Hydropower generation apparatus according to claim 26 further includinga manifold located between said first and said second chambers, saidmanifold being fully connected to said first and said second chambersvia said plurality of one-way and two-way valves.